2017 Fan's Choice Awards

Vote for the 2017 Junior Athlete of the Year

USRowing maintains a long tradition of rewarding excellence in rowing. Following a year of unprecedented achievement, the rowing community put forth strong nominees for the 2017 USRowing Fan’s Choice Awards. After receiving an outpouring of nominations in all categories, USRowing is proud to announce the 2017 junior athlete finalists.

Fans may vote once in each category. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. E.T. on Tuesday, October 24. Awardees will be announced on Wednesday, October 25.

Who can become Athlete of the Year? A male or female rower or coxswain who has achieved extraordinary success in 2017. Success may be defined as an outstanding performance, having a breakout year, perseverance in spite of difficult odds, consistently strong performance, outstanding service off the water, or a combination of the above or other worthy measures.

About the Finalists:

Julia Braz, Sarasota CrewDespite only being in the 10th grade, Julia’s competitive experience is strong. At the 2017 Youth National Championship, Julia raced to a B-Final finish in the women’s quadruple sculls. She went on to represent the U.S. at the 2017 World Rowing Junior Championships in the women’s eight.

Rose Carr, South Jersey Rowing ClubIn her first season at the South Jersey Rowing Club, Rose represented her club in its first-ever Youth Nationals appearance and brought home a gold medal in the women’s double sculls. Rose returned to the Under 19 National Team for the second consecutive year and earned a bronze medal while sitting three-seat in the women’s four.

Sydney Edwards, Sarasota CrewSydney Edwards made history when she was selected as the first female coxswain of a United State men’s national team crew. Sydney coxed the men’s eight to a silver medal at the 2017 World Rowing Junior Championship at her second-consecutive U19 team appearance.

Kaitlyn Kynast, Connecticut Boat ClubKaitlyn was captain of the team the last two of her three years rowing with CBC. All three years she has competed at nationals, winning a gold medal 2016 & 2017. She was also a member of the Under 19 National Team for the last three years, winning a gold medal her novice year (2015) and then a bronze in 2016 & 2017. Off the water, Kaitlyn earned a first-place hammer at the 2017 C.R.A.S.H.-B.s.

William Legenzowski, Maritime Rowing Club/New Canaan CrewWilliam is a captain for New Canaan Crew/Maritime Rowing Club. Will won the USRowing Youth National Championships in the men’s quad. He also has won the men’s U19 single and, for the second year in a row, won the u19 M4x as stroke seat at USRowing Club National Championships. At the Canadian Henley, he set an event record by winning the u19 men’s single, as well getting second in the u19 men’s quad. He was selected from the Northeast Region to row in the Youth Regional Challenge and stroked the men’s quad, which placed second.

Award voting is intended to be one vote per person from among the extended rowing community and their family and friends; in the event of electronic, hired, or other similar ballot-stuffing attempts, affected votes may be deleted and nominees potentially disqualified.